United States History
|
Required Textbook and Materials
The American Vision: Modern Times
Students must bring notebook, paper (white, lined), pens (blue/black ink only), pencils, notes, and class assignments to class every day. Students should keep their work neatly in a notebook with a section for US History. Students will not need their books in class; they may be kept at home. |
Class Work/Homework
1. Types of assignments may include: reading, note taking, journal entries, textbook work, film sheets for documentary and
dramatic films or film clips, graded discussions, short writing assignments, pairs activities, reviews, quizzes, and tests. All
assignments count for points, including notes.
2. Students should review class notes and assignments for about 20 minutes each night. Quizzes may be given weekly. Tests
are given at the end of each unit.
3. Written homework may not be assigned nightly, but when it is assigned (usually to finish class work, or to complete a study
guide), it is due on the due date at the start of class, and must be in the student’s own words.
4. Assignments must be completed and ready to be stamped or turned in on the due date. In the case of absence, students
should check with a classmate or contact the teacher by way of the Remind app or email, and should check the class website
as many assignments may be available online to make up. No late work will be accepted, except in the case of excused
absences. Students have as many days as they were absent to make up the work. If students are out for scheduled school
activities, they must get the work ahead of time and turn it in on time regardless of the absence.
5. If students need extra help, they should see the teacher during their lunch or after school, or during Office Hours.
Grading Procedures
1. Grading is point-based and will follow the traditional scale:
90% or above = A 80-89% = B 70-79% = C 60-69% = D 59% or below = F
2. Basic rubric for grading all assignments:
A = Excellent work: shows full understanding, thorough research and work, top effort
B = Good work: shows a good understanding, good research, complete work, shows much effort
C = Fair work: shows some understanding, some research, some effort
D = Poor work: shows little understanding, little research, little effort
F = Little or no work: shows very little or no understanding, very little or no research or effort
3. Grade Categories and Weights:
20% = Participation 40% = Class work and Homework 40% = Tests/Quizzes
4. Assignments will typically be worth the following:
-- Daily Participation = 5 points a day; can only be made up with an excused absence and by doing the work from that day
-- Class work/Homework Assignments = 10-30 points per assignment, depending on length and difficulty
-- Quizzes = 5-30 points; quizzes may be given each week and after films.
-- Tests = 50-100 points; tests will be given at the end of a unit; usually every 3-4 weeks or so.
5. Grades will be updated on Q approximately every two weeks. If a student wishes to discuss grades, he/she should
see the teacher outside of class time (lunch, after school, Office Hours). Be polite and ask questions; do not make demands.
Attendance
1. Good attendance is essential to full participation in this class. Daily participation is part of the grade and much of the work
can only be done during class (discussion, pairs work, film notes).
2. If a student must be absent and knows in advance (as with athletic events, activities, and field trips), he/she must inform
the teacher and get the work ahead of time. The work should be turned in before the absence.
3. If a student has been absent, he/she should check the website for the work, and turn it in by the deadline given. If the class
took notes when the student was absent, it is the responsibility of the student to obtain the notes missed as soon as possible.
4. Unexcused tardies and absences will result in a deduction of participation points.
Behavioral Expectations
1. Students will be in their seats and ready to work (materials out; pencils sharpened) when the bell rings. When the dismissal
bell rings, students will wait for the teacher’s signal before leaving.
2. Students will stay on task during the course of the class and refrain from disruptive behavior.
3. Students will be quiet and attentive while the teacher is giving information; students will raise their hands and wait to be
called on during class discussions.
4. Students will keep all electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, etc.) set on mute or turned off and put away during class unless
they are being used in a class activity (see below). If such items cause disruption or distraction, they may be confiscated by
the teacher. Students who have such devices out during a test will have points deducted or may receive a zero and a referral.
Parents: please discourage your students from expecting to take phone calls from you during the day; remind them that they
can check voice mail or texts from you during passing periods or at lunch. Phone calls regarding family emergencies should
be made through the office.
5. Students will remove all hats, hoods, and sunglasses during class.
6. Students will not eat or chew gum in class. Sealed bottles of water or sports drinks are allowed as long as they do not disrupt
or distract learning, and must be disposed of properly in the recycle bin.
7. Students will help keep the classroom neat and orderly.
8. Students will do their own work – no copying work of any kind. Academic dishonesty will result in a zero on an assignment
for all students involved. Repeat offenses will result in disciplinary action at the administrative level.
9. Students will use appropriate language and refrain from demeaning others.
10. In general, students are expected to treat others as they would like to be treated – with respect.
Consequences
Step 1: Warning; Step 2: student-teacher conference and detention; Step 3: Parent contact; Step 4: Referral to Assistant Principal. Detentions are for 1 hour. Students in sports can expect their coaches to be informed of behavioral issues.
Classroom Conditions
1. In order to minimize disruptions, the classroom door is kept closed. Please enter and exit quietly if using a pass.
2. The air conditioning in this classroom is under district control. The intent is to keep the temperature at a steady level. It
may be rather cool at times, so if you tend to get cold, please bring a sweater or jacket.
3. Please do not wear strong perfumes or colognes nor use strong-smelling lotions, etc, in class. Many people have allergies to
such materials (including your teacher!).
Film Permission (for parents)
In order to bring history to life, films are sometimes used in class. Many of these films are documentaries such as those shown on History Channel and PBS. Some popular Hollywood films have depicted events and people in a historically accurate way and therefore may have PG, PG-13, or R ratings. From time to time I will use excerpts or the entirety of such films in my class. In order to view these films in the classroom, students are required to bring permission slips from their parents or guardians. I have only selected films or film clips that I think are valuable to the units that we are studying, and each of them has been or will be approved by our principal before being shown. In the interest of efficiency, I would like to ask you to give your permission in advance. Please sign the form attached to the syllabus handed out in class to indicate whether your student may view the films shown in class. You may add a note to qualify or clarify the limits of your permission, for example, if you wish to limit their viewing to PG or PG-13 or would like a special permission slip to sign for each film.
Educational Technology
– Website: huskyhistory.com – has the daily assignments, homework (if assigned), and reminders about upcoming tests.
Links to Student Connect and Parent Connect can be found there, as well as a “Contact Me” page.
– Remind app – Students can sign up in class for the Remind app to receive text-style reminders about work for class. To join,
enter this number: 81010 and text this message: SuttonUS2
– Smart Phones – Students may be allowed to use their smart phones for activities or research during class; it is understood
that they will be using them for research only and that any abuse will result in the consequences mentioned above.
Contact Information
Email address: hsutton@cnusd.k12.ca.us or huskyhistory@gmail.com (email is the most efficient communication).
School phone: 739-5670 (please leave a message during class hours; best time to reach the teacher is after school).
Please turn in the contact information sheet and permission slip form attached to this page in the version handed out in class.
This website: Contact Me page and links to student and parent connect.
Please turn in the contact information sheet and permission slip form attached to this page in the version handed out in class.
For a downloadable copy of this syllabus, please click here.
For a downloadable copy of the Parent Signature and Student Profile sheet, please click here.
1. Types of assignments may include: reading, note taking, journal entries, textbook work, film sheets for documentary and
dramatic films or film clips, graded discussions, short writing assignments, pairs activities, reviews, quizzes, and tests. All
assignments count for points, including notes.
2. Students should review class notes and assignments for about 20 minutes each night. Quizzes may be given weekly. Tests
are given at the end of each unit.
3. Written homework may not be assigned nightly, but when it is assigned (usually to finish class work, or to complete a study
guide), it is due on the due date at the start of class, and must be in the student’s own words.
4. Assignments must be completed and ready to be stamped or turned in on the due date. In the case of absence, students
should check with a classmate or contact the teacher by way of the Remind app or email, and should check the class website
as many assignments may be available online to make up. No late work will be accepted, except in the case of excused
absences. Students have as many days as they were absent to make up the work. If students are out for scheduled school
activities, they must get the work ahead of time and turn it in on time regardless of the absence.
5. If students need extra help, they should see the teacher during their lunch or after school, or during Office Hours.
Grading Procedures
1. Grading is point-based and will follow the traditional scale:
90% or above = A 80-89% = B 70-79% = C 60-69% = D 59% or below = F
2. Basic rubric for grading all assignments:
A = Excellent work: shows full understanding, thorough research and work, top effort
B = Good work: shows a good understanding, good research, complete work, shows much effort
C = Fair work: shows some understanding, some research, some effort
D = Poor work: shows little understanding, little research, little effort
F = Little or no work: shows very little or no understanding, very little or no research or effort
3. Grade Categories and Weights:
20% = Participation 40% = Class work and Homework 40% = Tests/Quizzes
4. Assignments will typically be worth the following:
-- Daily Participation = 5 points a day; can only be made up with an excused absence and by doing the work from that day
-- Class work/Homework Assignments = 10-30 points per assignment, depending on length and difficulty
-- Quizzes = 5-30 points; quizzes may be given each week and after films.
-- Tests = 50-100 points; tests will be given at the end of a unit; usually every 3-4 weeks or so.
5. Grades will be updated on Q approximately every two weeks. If a student wishes to discuss grades, he/she should
see the teacher outside of class time (lunch, after school, Office Hours). Be polite and ask questions; do not make demands.
Attendance
1. Good attendance is essential to full participation in this class. Daily participation is part of the grade and much of the work
can only be done during class (discussion, pairs work, film notes).
2. If a student must be absent and knows in advance (as with athletic events, activities, and field trips), he/she must inform
the teacher and get the work ahead of time. The work should be turned in before the absence.
3. If a student has been absent, he/she should check the website for the work, and turn it in by the deadline given. If the class
took notes when the student was absent, it is the responsibility of the student to obtain the notes missed as soon as possible.
4. Unexcused tardies and absences will result in a deduction of participation points.
Behavioral Expectations
1. Students will be in their seats and ready to work (materials out; pencils sharpened) when the bell rings. When the dismissal
bell rings, students will wait for the teacher’s signal before leaving.
2. Students will stay on task during the course of the class and refrain from disruptive behavior.
3. Students will be quiet and attentive while the teacher is giving information; students will raise their hands and wait to be
called on during class discussions.
4. Students will keep all electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, etc.) set on mute or turned off and put away during class unless
they are being used in a class activity (see below). If such items cause disruption or distraction, they may be confiscated by
the teacher. Students who have such devices out during a test will have points deducted or may receive a zero and a referral.
Parents: please discourage your students from expecting to take phone calls from you during the day; remind them that they
can check voice mail or texts from you during passing periods or at lunch. Phone calls regarding family emergencies should
be made through the office.
5. Students will remove all hats, hoods, and sunglasses during class.
6. Students will not eat or chew gum in class. Sealed bottles of water or sports drinks are allowed as long as they do not disrupt
or distract learning, and must be disposed of properly in the recycle bin.
7. Students will help keep the classroom neat and orderly.
8. Students will do their own work – no copying work of any kind. Academic dishonesty will result in a zero on an assignment
for all students involved. Repeat offenses will result in disciplinary action at the administrative level.
9. Students will use appropriate language and refrain from demeaning others.
10. In general, students are expected to treat others as they would like to be treated – with respect.
Consequences
Step 1: Warning; Step 2: student-teacher conference and detention; Step 3: Parent contact; Step 4: Referral to Assistant Principal. Detentions are for 1 hour. Students in sports can expect their coaches to be informed of behavioral issues.
Classroom Conditions
1. In order to minimize disruptions, the classroom door is kept closed. Please enter and exit quietly if using a pass.
2. The air conditioning in this classroom is under district control. The intent is to keep the temperature at a steady level. It
may be rather cool at times, so if you tend to get cold, please bring a sweater or jacket.
3. Please do not wear strong perfumes or colognes nor use strong-smelling lotions, etc, in class. Many people have allergies to
such materials (including your teacher!).
Film Permission (for parents)
In order to bring history to life, films are sometimes used in class. Many of these films are documentaries such as those shown on History Channel and PBS. Some popular Hollywood films have depicted events and people in a historically accurate way and therefore may have PG, PG-13, or R ratings. From time to time I will use excerpts or the entirety of such films in my class. In order to view these films in the classroom, students are required to bring permission slips from their parents or guardians. I have only selected films or film clips that I think are valuable to the units that we are studying, and each of them has been or will be approved by our principal before being shown. In the interest of efficiency, I would like to ask you to give your permission in advance. Please sign the form attached to the syllabus handed out in class to indicate whether your student may view the films shown in class. You may add a note to qualify or clarify the limits of your permission, for example, if you wish to limit their viewing to PG or PG-13 or would like a special permission slip to sign for each film.
Educational Technology
– Website: huskyhistory.com – has the daily assignments, homework (if assigned), and reminders about upcoming tests.
Links to Student Connect and Parent Connect can be found there, as well as a “Contact Me” page.
– Remind app – Students can sign up in class for the Remind app to receive text-style reminders about work for class. To join,
enter this number: 81010 and text this message: SuttonUS2
– Smart Phones – Students may be allowed to use their smart phones for activities or research during class; it is understood
that they will be using them for research only and that any abuse will result in the consequences mentioned above.
Contact Information
Email address: hsutton@cnusd.k12.ca.us or huskyhistory@gmail.com (email is the most efficient communication).
School phone: 739-5670 (please leave a message during class hours; best time to reach the teacher is after school).
Please turn in the contact information sheet and permission slip form attached to this page in the version handed out in class.
This website: Contact Me page and links to student and parent connect.
Please turn in the contact information sheet and permission slip form attached to this page in the version handed out in class.
For a downloadable copy of this syllabus, please click here.
For a downloadable copy of the Parent Signature and Student Profile sheet, please click here.
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